WIMBORNE'S first food festival, backed by the Daily Echo, is being served up from Saturday.

More than 45 events will be taking place in and around the town over nine days until October 28.

Activities range from food and drink tastings to Victorian cooking, food for health, farm tours and storytelling.

The festival kicks off with a food fare marquee in the Corn Market from 10am on Saturday, showcasing local produce.

The town's top chefs will also battle it out at the final of the Wimborne Signature Dish competition.

Visitors can watch the chefs in action, vote for their favourite demonstration and enter a free prize draw to win a meal at that restaurant, courtesy of the Daily Echo.

The chefs will answer questions on their chosen dish, including local sourcing of ingredients.

The opening day will also mark the final of the Wimborne Junior Chef Competition.

Students aged 14 to 17 have been asked to create a three-course menu, using local and seasonal produce, and during the launch event on Saturday, three finalists will cook their menu for the judges, and the people of Wimborne.

Other events happening on Saturday include a chance to sample an array of produce including clotted cream teas and homemade cakes from Delihart's café in The Corn Market, and bread and patisserie tasting and an organic bread workshop run by Long Crichel Bakery.

There will also be samples for those with a sweet tooth at Wimborne Tourist Information Centre, and a healing foods Chinese herbal medicine workshop being held at 2pm in Church House.

And if you have ever wondered what people ate in the past, the Priests House Museum wants to show you.

The following days until October 28 also have a variety of activities and workshops.

Full details can be found in the official guide available from shops, restaurants, pubs and tourist information centres in and around the town.

There is also a festival website with full details at wimbornefoodfestival.co.uk